Colette Nixon
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, (Doctor of Clinical Psychology)
Study Completed: 2013
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
A Qualitative Study Exploring Factors Impacting the Therapeutic Outcome and Experiences of Clients using a Psycho-Oncology Service
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Research shows that people coping with cancer benefit from psychological interventions. Mrs Nixon aimed to identify factors that may affect the therapeutic outcomes and experiences of cancer clients. She used the Massey University Psycho-Oncology Service (POS) in New Zealand as a case study. She interviewed 24 participants, including women with breast or gynaecological cancer, family/whanau clients, POS psychologists, and people affected by cancer who did not use psycho-social support. Using thematic analysis, Mrs Nixon found that factors that may have an impact on the outcomes and experiences of former POS clients included therapy expectations, the inclusion of family members in therapy, a strong therapeutic relationship, and the personal connection that the POS psychologists expressed towards clients, their work, and the team. Mrs Nixon’s study adds to this very under researched area of psycho-oncology literature.
Supervisors
Mrs Cheryl Woolley
Dr Don Baken